This is 'My Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge'.It is going to be my personal challenge. You see I'm 81 82 83,84 85 years old. If I don't make it I'll just scrap the blog. I have been a cyclist for all my life.My bike was used for commuting to work,visiting girl friends, touring, track racing, triathlons and duathlons

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Training. July 2010.

I find I really get spooked by the cold.There is so much preparation,putting on all the clothing HRM stopwatch gloves helmet etc. etc. In the old days in SA I just put on my riding shoes and off I went sans helmet or gloves.There was so much freedom. I never remember feeling cold even in the middle of winter.I suppose I was tougher then.

1..........17 ks. Fairly fast warm up and then two short hill repeats. Cool and Sunny.2..........25ks. Easy ride along Tod Road. Cool and sunny with no wind. Nice ride.I hadn't planned on such a ride today but there is rain forecast for the next few days. HR109. Cadence 82.3. Day of drama. Elaine was taken to hospital by ambulance again. Electric power lost so trouble heating house. Followed later to spend afternoon with Elaine. She will see the Heart specialist tomorrow I hope.4..........30 Ks. to Argyle school and back. Coldish and sunny,no wind.Cadence 78.Easy ride but made an effort up the two hills.I'm sure my training is having the desired effect.5..........A cold and damp day. Fetched Elaine from hospital.6..........50 mins. on trainer while watching Tour H/Ls. Lots of rain.7..........Rain8..........More rain9..........30 mins on trainer. Rain. Lowered saddle by about 2.5 mm. and forward.It feels more comfortable.The trainer is very useful for making these adjustments.10.........60 mins on trainer.Cadence 81. Sunny but very icy wind. Watched Tour H/Ls. This hasn't been a very good start to my official training.11.........45 mins training. A freezing morning.Warmed up on the trainer and then went out and did six short hill climbs at max.The best I could do under these conditions. It was so nice and warm in the lounge.12.........30 mins on trainer. Rained in the afternoon.13.........18kms.Repeated what I did on Sunday but did nine short hill climbs.Tried to make corrections to my first try so that I could have gone on doing even more as my last time was the fastest. Climb is 220 metres in length, at about 7% and steeper for the last twenty metres.Cadence 79.Total time 1hr.7 mins.including warm up.14.........20 mins. on trainer. Cold overcast with a little rain.Very depressing.15........Overcast rain and cold. Went to Hospital to take Elaine to see the specialist.Too cold to train anyway.16.........30 mins on trainer.Spent much of the morning working in the nursery. Then it was too late to go out so did a bit on the trainer.17.........16 kms. Seven short hill repeats.I thought I had done eight.Did them in faster times than on 13th.Cadence 81. I hope this is working and that I will over time see an improvement.I have to traim differently from two years ago as my training then didn't work all that well.Cold and overcast.The hill is just behind the house so I can chicken out any time.18........20 mins on trainer.20........33 kms. easy ride. Tiko Rd. I wanted to do more but had visitors just as I was getting ready,so decided to have lunch, by which time it was 2pm before I left.Cadence 81 . Av. HR 109. Max 147.Cloud and sunshine. Coldish.22..........20 mins on trainer. Went to hospital to see specialist. might have to have an op in next six months.Hope to put it off till after the challenge.Rain all day.23........18 kms. Really didn't feel like training this morning.Had to drag myself out to the bike but once I had warmed up had a really productive session.Did eight short hill repeats using a higher gear and times improved dramatically.Av HR 109. Max 152. Cadence 77.The weather was sunny for a change.25........34 kms. Longest ride so far.Went over Col de Argyle. The hill is quite stiff and just under 3ks.Sunshine /cloudy and cold. Rain all yesterday.Easy except for the hill. Pleased as my time was the same as two years ago so I haven't deteriorated that much.27........19 kms.Very nice ride to Otane. Cadence 84 much improved.Elaine to Hospital to see specialist in afternoon.28........14kms. Hard session, 5 short hill repeats in higher gear which reduced my time considerably and gave really good workout.Sunny in the morning but I left it till after lunch when it became overcast and cold. I never learn.30........20 mins on triner. Too cold to want to ride.Tomorrow looks better.31........42 kms. Milage going up. Nice easy ride. Pushed it at times. Cadence 81.Sunny and coldish with no wind.Makaroro Rd. Highway 50 and back through Onga onga.